BACK FROM THE BATTLE LINE

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2607, 1 November 1915, Page 6

BACK FROM THE BATTLE LINE

WILLOCHRA'S INVALIDS THREE DEATHS REPORTED Br TtlesraDh.-Praß Association.

Uunedin, October 30. lhe steamer Willochra, with invalided in on"' reachod tlls Dunedin Wharf at 1U.30 a.m. Tlie condition of the men f ?Y- !' 6a "g"i"ary nnturo of the lighting by tlio Novr .Zealaiiders curly in August, many of the cases being tlio result of a night charge.- One hundred ana twenty-four eases requiro hospital treatment, and there arc 24 cot oases, more or less serious'.. Ten of these were brought ashore. Three deaths nccurred in the hottest stretch of tho voya^L —two from scarlet tever and one .from dysentery. The names of those who died are Private Patterson (Canterbury),; Private Williams (Wellington), and Corporal Nichols (Dunedin). Tliero are 16 crippled men, but none have lost limbs. There are two cases of fairly bad paralysis, one man having lost the power of both arms. Tlio Willochra had an excellent voyage, and as a result the condition of tlie men showed marvellous improvement.

On t'he way up to Dunedin from Port Chalmers the moil were heartened by a vociferous welcome from wayside places. At Port Chalmers the people thoughtfully sent on board a generous supply of fruit and cigarettes, which were highly appreciated. On arrival at Dunedin the men, who were remarkably cheerful, were welcomed by a great crowd. The Hon. ,Tames Allen, Ministor of Defence, officially boarded tho ship and formally welcomed the returned soldiers.

Major Purchas, senior medical officer, speaks in higli terms of the splondid | work of the six nurses. NORTHERN MEN LEAVE. _ October 31. To-day tlie soldiers were taken in motor-cars to the largo Drill Hall at Kensington, where they were tendered luncheon by the City Council. Afterwards a civic reception was held, and speeches of welcome -were made by the Mayor, the Hon. J. Allen, the Hon. G. W. Russell, and Mr. It. W. Balfour. Captain Short replied on behalf of the men. The Hon. J. Allen, in the course of his remarks, thanked the people of Dunedin for the fine reception they had given the soldiers. The Canterbury contingent of soldiers left by special train at 2.50 p.m., and the North Island contingent by the Monbwai. Tho Hons. J. Allen and G. W. Russell left by tho soldiers' special train for Christchuich'.

The Monowai, with about 320 sick and wounded soldiers for Wellington and tlio North Island, will arrive here about 8.30 a.m. to-morrow. The Mayor will accord the men a. welcome on similar lines to those followed last week. There are more serious cases on the Willochra than were to be found among the Tofua's men, and a good many of tho men will, it is feared, be unable to proceed to the Town Hall. As many motor-cars as possible, however, will be available to take the men to the Town Hall via Lambton Quay, Willis,, and Manners Streets, and His Worship hopes that the public will line tho way in large numbers'and cheer the returned warriors, who so well deserve a right hearty welcome Mr. -Luke also desires' to see tho City make a brave show with flags and patriotic devices in honour of the Willochra's men.